When you stand on your feet all day creating beautiful hair, the repetitive movement is bound to take a toll on your body!  Working long hours in a fast-paced environment can be physically and mentally draining, leading to overall fatigue and possible physical ailments. 

Some concerns include neck and shoulder pain, back pain and discomfort, wrist and hand strain, leg fatigue and foot pain.

To address these concerns and have a long and pain-free career, you can take steps to improve your posture and overall well-being, such as using ergonomic tools, taking regular breaks to stretch and rest, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and seeking professional help if experiencing chronic pain or discomfort.

Here are some simple moves and stretches that you can incorporate into your daily routine and inbetween clients to help alleviate muscle strain and prevent injury:

Neck Stretches

Gently tilt your head to one side and hold for 15-30 seconds, then switch to the other side. You can also tilt you chin to your chest and tilt your head back and look up towards the ceiling, again holding each for 15-30 seconds.

Shoulder Stretches 

First, roll your shoulders forward and backward in a circular motion to help release tension in the shoulder and upper back muscles. You can also place your hands on top of each shoulder and press down.  Next, stand with your feet hip-width apart, interlace your fingers behind your back, and press downward and then gently straighten your arms as you lift them away from your body.

Wrist Stretches

Extend one arm in front of you with the palm facing down, then use your other hand to gently press your fingers towards you to stretch the wrist and your fingers.

As a yogi myself, I am constantly trying to pay attention to my posture as well as staying balanced and grounded. Here are a few postures that can help in your overall stability and mobility, that can be done between clients!

Mountain Pose

Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart, arms by your sides, and palms facing forward, shoulders rolled back and down. . Breathe deeply and find that balance from side to side. This pose helps improve posture and alignment.

Forward Fold

From Mountain Pose, hinge at the hips and fold forward, reaching towards the floor or your shins. This pose can help release tension in the back and stretch your hamstrings.

Pelvic Tilt

Shift your hips forward and tuck your tailbone under and then reverse this by gently arching your back and then return to shifting your pelvis forward again and hold for 15 seconds.

Hip Flexor Stretch

Step one foot forward into a lunge position, keeping the back leg straight and the front knee bent at a 90-degree angle with your knee stacked directly over your ankle. Gently press your hips forward to feel a stretch in the front of the hip and thigh. Hold for 15-30 seconds and then switch to the other side.

These simple moves and stretches can help improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and improve your overall well-being and longevity as a beauty professional! It's important to listen to your body and stretch gently without forcing any movements while breathing deeply and even closing your eyes for a moment if possible.

Go ahead, take a break your body is craving it.

About the Author: Mary Wilson has been a beauty industry pro for 40 years and has contributed in many arenas including marketing, sales, education, communication and presentation skills. She has always believed the very best way to find  overall happiness is to create authentic beauty while maintaining your own physical, mental and emotional health. In addition to being a beauty industry leader,  Mary has been a certified yoga teacher for the past 10 years, leading wellness retreats and teaching yoga, breath work. reiki and energy healing. Since launching Wilson Collective in 2019, Mary has embarked on sharing her message directly with stylist and salon owners by traveling the country in an RV with her partner and husband and sharing the Wilson Brand, teaching the Wilson Method of Haircutting, as well as Styling and Wellness.